By Michael Floyd
Cranbourne trainer Gavin Bedggood has plenty of options for bargain-buy Keats after winning the $100,000 Peninsula Cup at Mornington on Sunday.
Purchased for just $25,000 in an online sale earlier this year, Keats was driven forward by Craig Newitt from barrier two and from there dictated terms.
Quickening at the 600m mark, Keats quickly put a margin on his rivals before cruising to a three-length victory.
“He’s had five runs for us and that was his third win and a second and a fourth in town so he’s been a model of consistency,” said Bedggood.
“They didn’t pay a lot of money for him – $25,000 – and I think that took his earnings to about $130,000 since he arrived so he doesn’t owe anybody anything.”
Bedggood originally had the Kyneton Cup over 2000m in mind for Keats, however with recent weather creating uncertainty over the status of the meeting – it was subsequently moved to Bendigo and run over 2200m – the timing of the Peninsula Cup proved ideal. “I don’t think he runs a step past 2000m, so between a mile and 2000m is pretty good for him.
“He just needs to find races with not a lot of pressure and where he can dictate things and control the races.
“It was good that it paid off.”
The Peninsula Cup is a ballot exemption race for the upcoming $500,000 Cranbourne Cup, however Bedggood suggested the $200,000 Kilmore Cup may be the preferred option.
Bedggood did confirm that stablemate No Effort is on target for another tilt at his hometown cup.
No Effort ran fifth in 2021 – beaten just 1.6 lengths by King Magnus – however Bedggood is taking a different approach to the cup this year.
After winning the Heatherlie at Caulfield in 2021, No Effort had two more starts before the Cranbourne Cup which Bedggood conceded saw her at the end of her preparation.
This time around, the Cranbourne Cup is the goal.
“She’s great – she had a freshen up after the Heatherlie and the plan is to get ready for the Cranbourne Cup and she’s right on target.”
The Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup will be run on Saturday 12 November.
